Harry was left astounded that his dad and brother were refusing to offer their support
Prince William, Prince of Wales, King Charles III and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex(Image: Getty Images)
The moment Prince Harry’s relationship with his father and brother crumbled has seemingly been revealed in a new book about Prince William and Kate Middleton’s life together.
The royal couple met at St Andrews University in 2001 while they were studying history of art. The now-Princess of Wales was credited with persuading the Prince to continue his studies when he considered quitting as he struggled to adjust to university life during his first year.
They moved into a shared house with two other friends in 2002 and reportedly became a couple around Christmas 2003. The couple briefly split up in April 2007, reportedly because of the strain caused by William’s military career, but they were secretly back together within weeks.
Their engagement was announced in 2010, and William and Kate went on to tie the knot at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011. They are now parents to three children – George, Charlotte and Louis.
But it’s not just their relationship explored by the Mirror’s Royal Editor, Russell Myers, in his new book, William and Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, which is being serialised by the Mirror, as he also writes about the strain between William and Harry, as well as the latter and his father, King Charles III.
Cracks started to show between the family when Harry married American-born Meghan Markle in 2018. It has previously been suggested that William, the Prince of Wales, questioned whether his brother should rush into things.
Speaking of Meghan’s introduction into the royal family, Russell writes: “Not long before the story broke, Harry had plucked up the courage to share his secret. She (Meghan) had pulled off a perfect curtsy to the Queen and managed to charm William, even if he felt a little awkward receiving a hug on arrival. Catherine described Meghan as ‘friendly’, albeit erring on the side of somewhat over-friendly, with a ‘touch of California’ about her.
“Yet the course of true love never did run smooth and the onslaught of the media interest changed things overnight. The granular details of Meghan’s life were suddenly Fleet Street currency, and the boundaries of taste and decency became blurred. Harry’s reaction was furious and swift. Without consulting his father or brother, as the hierarchy would normally dictate, he instructed the Kensington Palace communications team to respond at once – highlighting “a wave of abuse and harassment … the racial undertones of comment pieces”.
Prince William, Prince of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (Image: Getty Images)
“The media’s tone may have dampened, but the interest in their relationship did not. Harry was infuriated that his father and brother admonished him for his rash actions, and the tense conversations left Harry astounded that his own kin were refusing to offer their support.”
He adds: “This period did indeed mark an outward shift in their relations. Suddenly it was harder to get them in the same room, each giving various excuses as to why they could not – or perhaps would not – be available to engage with meetings together.”
The two brothers and their wives quickly became branded the ‘Fab Four’ in the press as they attended royal engagements and launched projects together. But Russell writes: “William warned his brother about the speed at which the relationship had progressed, urging him to take his time. Lovestruck, he was in no mood to listen.
A source said: “It’s easy to forget now, given everything that has gone on, but William did find Meghan quite refreshing at first. He was genuinely happy for Harry and only wanted the best for him. Meghan made him happy and if she had been prepared to take a chance on their relationship, then he certainly would have never stood in their way. If there was one thing he was uneasy about, it was a clash of styles. He definitely saw it as a potential problem on the horizon.'”
William & Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story Hardcover 26 Feb. 2026
by Russell Myers (Author)
As we now know, Harry and Meghan later decided it would be best to step away from the royal family and become financially independent. The Duke and Duchess stepped down as senior working royals in March 2020 and now live in Montecito, California, with their two children, Archie and Lilibet.
But tensions within the family had been growing long before their decision was officially announced, two years after Harry and Meghan tied the knot.
“Meghan became a target on social media owing to her biracial heritage and Harry demanded that action be taken,” Russell writes. “Royal aides informed him they were powerless to act, so he turned his attention to the royal protection teams funded by the Home Office. When told any such protection would not be provided until after he and Meghan were married, Harry was incredulous and appealed to his father and brother to intervene.
“The Prince of Wales insisted he could not become involved in a government decision, especially one where any costs would be footed by taxpayers, but Harry was well aware that Catherine had not only received unofficial guidance from the palace when merely his brother’s girlfriend, but that she had also qualified for round-the-clock protection as soon as they became engaged.
“One rule for him and another for me, Harry thought. Prince Charles’s decision was final, though, and William’s subsequent unwillingness to help sparked a row that ignited a long-running and ugly feud.”
William and Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, published on 26 February by Ebury, Penguin Random House, is available to pre-order now